§ Mr. George Rodgersasked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection if she is satisfied that sufficient protection is available to persons who respond to advertisements relating to the sale of deaf aids.
Mr. Alan WilliamsThe Hearing Aid Council, which was set up under the Hearing Aid Council Act 1968, has wide powers to deal with unethical conduct in connection with the supply of hearing aids. I am aware that the National Association of Citizens' Advice Bureaux has recently published a paper which questions the adequacy of the protection available to those responding to advertisements about hearing aids, and particularly against the use of high-pressure selling methods. I understand that both the Hearing Aid Council and the Office of Fair Trading are in touch with the National Association and I have asked to be kept informed.